Byron Buxton gets another injury scare after running into wall

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton. Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Twins' Byron Buxton gets another injury scare after running into wall

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 10:40 PM ET

When healthy, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton can be one of the best players in baseball.

The key qualifier in that statement is "when healthy."

Injuries and missed time have been a constant thorn in Buxton's side throughout his career, and it may have happened again on Friday night.

Byron Buxton leaves game after running into wall

Buxton was injured in the top of the third inning when he made a spectacular catch going back toward the center field wall, robbing Kansas City Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen of an extra-base hit.

But in the process of making the catch, Buxton crashed into the wall and was immediately shaken up.

Byron Buxton ran into the wall in CF again... he's staying in the game
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) 2026-06-06T02:09:48.650Z

While he was able to remain in the game for the remainder of the top half of the inning, he was replaced in the bottom of the third by Tristan Gray.

Buxton entered Friday's game with an .871 OPS and was a 1.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) player through his first 54 games of the season. He has been playing at an All-Star level and has been a huge bright spot in the Twins lineup.

Now there is going to be some concern over whether or not he will have to miss some time.

The 32-year-old Buxton has been a regular in the Twins lineup for over 12 years, but has rarely played more than 100 games in a season.

He has done so just three times in his career, and topped more than 130 games just one time.

It has sabotaged what should have been an outstanding career, and it makes him one of the bigger "what-if" players in the league at the moment. There is no denying his talent and all-around play when he is on the field, and he should have been a perennial All-Star, having averaged 5.4 WAR per 162 games played. He has just never had the opportunity to consistently play enough games to realize all of that potential and put it all together.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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